Business news

Applicants sought for new Tees Valley Digital Strategy Board

People with a passion for digital are being sought to help drive forward the tech industries in the Tees Valley.

Rob Earnshaw, Director of DigitalCity.

Led by DigitalCity, a new Digital Strategy Board is being created to strengthen the digital cluster further within the region and help develop digital skills.

The Digital Strategy Board will consist of up to 20 people and will work alongside the Tees Valley Combined Authority to develop policies and initiatives to push the digital agenda within the region.

There will be an equal number of men and women on the board. There will also be at least two members from each of the five authority areas which make up the Tees Valley.

The Tees Valley already has an outstanding reputation for its tech industries. Middlesbrough and Stockton are ranked at number 16 in a list of the UK’s digital hotspots by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, the only hotspot north of Birmingham.

DigitalCity, which is based at Teesside University, is acknowledged as a major catalyst for economic regeneration in the Tees Valley.

It has already helped create hundreds of new companies, as well as working with existing business to improve their digital skills.

Rob Earnshaw, Director of DigitalCity, said: 'These are very exciting times, there are some fantastic companies in the Tees Valley doing really interesting work.

A successful digital strategy is a key part of our economic plan for the region and we are very excited about working closer with the digital sector to develop the future of the digital landscape.

Mayor David Budd, Chair of the Tees Valley Combined Authority

'The digital cluster is already very effective at innovating and creating jobs.

'This Digital Strategy Board will look at ways to help them do this even better.

'We’re hoping to recruit the most passionate people to work alongside and influence the combined authority.

'You don’t necessarily have to be a director of a digital business, but just have a real desire to see digital success within the Tees Valley.

'Board members will help create a talent pool for tech companies and look at ways to strengthen the appeal of the area to digital businesses.'

Mayor David Budd, Chair of the Tees Valley Combined Authority, added: 'A successful digital strategy is a key part of our economic plan for the region and we are very excited about working closer with the digital sector to develop the future of the digital landscape.'

Applicants to the voluntary role would be asked to commit to attending monthly meetings of the board.